Bill

Bill > HB102


MT HB102

Revise laws related to public defenders for clarity


summary

Introduced
12/16/2024
In Committee
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
01/27/2025
Passed
05/01/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/05/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING LAWS RELATED TO THE OFFICE OF STATE PUBLIC DEFER; CREATING A DISTINCTION BETWEEN CONFLICT AND NONCONFLICT REGIONAL OFFICES; REVISING THE DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR, THE CONFLICT DEFER DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR, THE APPELLATE DEFER DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR, AND THE CENTRAL SERVICES DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR; REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DIRECTOR TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS SPECIFIC TO CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT MATTERS; REVISING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CENTRAL SERVICES DIVISION TO INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS FOR MANAGING CONTRACTED SERVICES AND AGENCY TRAINING EFFORTS; PROVIDING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; REVISING TITLES OF DIVISION PERSONNEL TO INCLUDE REGIONAL PUBLIC DEFERS AND MANAGING PUBLIC DEFERS; AMING SECTIONS 18-4-132, 47-1-104, 47-1-105, 47-1-119, 47-1-125, 47-1-201, 47-1-202, 47-1-215, 47-1-301, AND 47-1-401, MCA; AND REPEALING SECTIONS 47-1-120 AND 47-1-121, MCA.

AI Summary

This bill aims to revise laws related to the Montana Office of State Public Defender by creating a more structured and comprehensive approach to providing public defense services. The bill establishes clearer distinctions between conflict and nonconflict regional offices, redefines the roles and responsibilities of key administrators, and centralizes certain management functions. Specifically, it creates more detailed protocols for hiring, supervising, and managing public defenders across different divisions, including establishing standards for case assignments, training, and performance evaluations. The bill removes previous requirements for specific training standards in child abuse and neglect cases and instead consolidates training oversight under the central services division. It also modifies reporting requirements and standardizes titles for public defender personnel, such as changing "deputy" to "regional" public defenders. The legislation repeals two existing sections related to training programs and contracted services, instead integrating these functions more directly into the central services division's responsibilities. The changes are intended to improve the efficiency, consistency, and quality of public defender services across Montana by providing more centralized management and clearer operational guidelines.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Chapter Number Assigned (on 05/05/2025)

bill text


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